Four men from the Manchester area have been jailed for a total of more than 15 years in prison for supplying Class A drugs in Preston.
Abrar Ahmed, 24, of Kingsway, Manchester, Yasir Ali, 22, of Meade Grove, Manchester, Shavon Morrison, 21, of Claremont Road, Manchester and Richard Mushonga 21, of Medway Close, Salford, were convicted at Preston Crown Court after their ‘County Lines’ operation selling heroin and crack cocaine was uncovered.
Between August and October last year, the group travelled daily from Manchester to Preston delivering drugs to users. This type of ‘County Lines’ method is used by organised crime groups (OCG) to distribute competitively-priced, controlled drugs to areas in the country where they are less available.
Police became aware of the group’s activity and launched Operation New Era.
Officers conducted a number of searches, executing warrants in the Preston area and seizing drugs.
All four men were arrested and charged with conspiring to supply Class A drugs.
The men pleaded guilty with Ahmed jailed for five years, Ali imprisoned for four years eight months, with Morrison and Mushonga each sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
Det Insp Roger Ashcroft said: “As soon as we were aware of this County Lines operation targeting vulnerable drug users in Preston we were determined to bring the OCG to justice and we are grateful to those who provided us with information leading to their arrest.
“We hope this serves as a warning to anyone entering Lancashire with the intent to supply drugs in our community – we will find them and ensure they are punished accordingly.”
